state of grace

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Word: State of Grace

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: In Christian theology, a "state of grace" refers to a special condition where a person is free from sin and is under God's favor. It is believed that this state allows a person to be closer to God and to receive His blessings.

Simple Explanation: Think of "state of grace" as a feeling of being good and pure in the eyes of God. It’s like being in a good relationship with Him, where you are forgiven for your mistakes and feel loved.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "state of grace" when talking about religious beliefs, especially in Christianity.
• It is often used in discussions about forgiveness, salvation, and spiritual well-being.

Example Sentence:

• "After confessing his sins, he felt he was in a state of grace and could start anew."

Advanced Usage:

• In theological discussions, you might encounter phrases like "maintaining a state of grace" or "falling from grace," which refer to the ongoing nature of this relationship with God.

Word Variants:

• "Grace" (noun) – the quality of being kind, generous, and forgiving.
• "Gracious" (adjective) – showing grace, kindness, or courtesy.

Different Meanings:

1. General Use: The phrase "in a state of grace" can also describe someone who is in a particularly good or fortunate situation, even outside of religious contexts.
2. Literary Use: In literature, a "state of grace" could imply a character's moment of clarity or redemption.

Synonyms:

• Favor
• Blessing
• Redemption
• Salvation (in a religious context)

Related Idioms:

• Fallen from grace: This means to lose favor or respect, often due to a mistake or wrongdoing.
• Grace period: This refers to an extra time allowed to complete an obligation, like paying a bill.

Phrasal Verbs:

While "state of grace" itself isn't used with phrasal verbs, you might come across phrases like: - Get back into someone's good graces: This means to regain someone's favor or approval after having lost it.

Academic

Noun

1. (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
   • the conception of grace developed alongside the conception of sin
   • it was debated whether saving grace could be obtained outside the membership of the church
   • the Virgin lived in a state of grace

Synonyms

• grace
• saving grace